Slider



United States Patent 3,166,;34 SLIDER Steven Ausnit, 124 E. 61st St, New York, FLY. Filed Nov. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 320,863 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-491) The present invention relates to improvements in fiexible fastener strips of the type which attach to the top of a bag for closing and reopening the bag, and particularly to an improved slider for strips of the hinged type.

In hinged fastener strips first and second strips are provided each with a web portion for attaching to the top edges of a bag (or which may be integral with the walls of a bag), and marginal portions. The marginal portions have interlocking rib and groove elements on their facing surfaces which interlock when they are pressed together and separate when they are forcibly drawn apart. L1 a hinged fastener the marginal portion of the first strip is above its web portion and the marginal portion of the second strip is attached to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion and this type of fastener is shown and described in my US. Patent No. 3,054,434, issued September 18, 1962, S. Ausnit and O. Kraus.

In providing a slider for fastener strips of various types, and particularly of the hinged type as described above, it is necessary that the slider be capable of moving along the strips without jamming or sticking to the strips. It is also desirable that the slider be movable with a minimum of effort.- One type of slider for hinged fastener strips is shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 220,824, filed August 31, 1962. A characteristic of this type of slider is that one of the strips in being separated from the other strip is turned or bent outwardly, and when the strips are separated by a separating finger, jamming or sticking will often occur. I have found that this type of sticking or locking occurs where there is a thin separating finger which will cause the slider to often jam.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved slider having structural features which make it slide easier along the fastener strips and which aid in preventing the slider from sticking or jamming as it is moved along the strips.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved slider structure employing a thin separating finger that has structural features which separate the two halves of the fastener at a broader angle and thereby avoids a type of locking or sticking that occurs with only a thin separating finger.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slider for a hinged type fastener utilizing a thin inexpensive separating finger but employing a wing or guide attached to it to broaden the angle of separation between the strips for avoiding jamming of the slider.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment thereof in the specification, claims and drawings; in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a slider constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 11-11 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating a modified form of the ir1' vention;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section view taken substantially along line 1VIV of FIGURE 1 and showing the closing end of the slider;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line V-.V of FIGURE 1 and showing the opening end of the slider;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view of a hinged typeof fastener showing the fastener portions enlarged for clarity of illustration; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing a modified form.

On the drawings:

FIGURES 4 through 6 show fastener strips of the hinged type with which the slider of the present invention -coacts. The strips each have web portions and marginal As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the marginal.

portion 4 has rib elements 7 while the marginal portion 5 has similar rib elements 8. Between each of the rib elements grooves are defined which are shaped to interlockingly receive the rib elements so that the marginal portions will be interlocked when pressed together and will be separated when forcibly pulled apart. The interlocking forces and the separating forces are applied by a slider 9.

The slider g is preferably formed with all of its portions integral and maybe manufactured from sheet metal bent and cut to form the shape shown in the drawings. The slider 9 may also be formed by a molding process being made of hard plastic or similar material suitable for molding. The slider has a flat back 16 which rides along the top of the strips. 10 and extending downwardly therefrom are sides 11 land 2.

For aiding in holding the slider 10 in its'straddling position over the strips, an inwardly bent flange 13 is at the lower edge of the slide 12 and rides beneath the shoulder of the marginal portion 4.

The sides 11 and 12 are spaced so that they apply a closing force to the strips to interlock the ribs and grooves. For interlocking the strips the slider is slid in a closing direction (which is toward the viewer in the position of the slider shown in FIGURES l, 4 ad 5) and the strips will be joined as they emerge from the closing end C of the slider 9. The slider is slid in an opposite direction (away from the viewer in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5) to separate the strips and as the strips emerge from the opening end 0 they will be separated to open the container which is shown at 9a in FIGURE 6. The strips are mounted at the top of the container such as by the web portions 2 and 3 being secured to the walls of thecontainer. The web portions may be cemented or heat sealed to the walls or may be integral'therewith and theelements of the strips 7 are shown enlarged with respect to the walls of the bag 9a in FIGUREb for clarity of showing the features thereof.

The back 10 of the slider is extended at the opening end 0 into a back portion 14, and bent downwardly at one side of the back portion 14- is a separating finger 15. The finger is flat and has planar surfaces, being the thickness of the material of the slider.

Atthe base of the finger 15 is a lateral portion 16 which rides beneath the marginal portion 5 of the second closure strip as illustrated in FIGURES.

' The space between the finger 15 and the first side 12 of the slider in effect forms a channel or slot 18, FIGURE 2, through which the first strip S4 passes when the slider is moved along the strips. The first strip 8-1 is thus in ef- Patented Dec. 15, 1964 integrally formed with the back a #3 feet turned aside or bent out of and away from the second strip 8-2 when the slider is moved in an opening direction. It has been found that particularly with a thin walled finger 15 binding of the slider occurs which causes it to jam and interrupt its movement. I have found that this can be avoided by the provision of a wing 20 at the rear edge of the finger 15.

The wing 20 projects forwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction of the side 12. This provides a surface 22 which faces toward the first strip 8-]; and which is generally parallel to the. inner edges of the ribs 7 as they pass through the slot 18.

In some instances it is also useful to include a wing 19 which projects generally forwardly and laterally from the forward edge of the side 12 and more or less parallel to the wing 20. The wing 19- provides a forwardly facing surface 21 facing the surface 22 to provide approximately parallel surfaces with the channel 18 therebetween. While the wing 20 may insome arrangements operate without the wing 19, the addition of the wing 19 provides additional advantages, such as making it possible to better grasp the slider side 12.

Another arrangement which may be employed is shown in the sectional View of FIGURE 3. It will be understood that the rest of the slider of FIGURE 3 is substantially similar to the slider of FIGURE 1.

slider of FIGURE 1, having a finger 15', with a lateral portion 16'. A forward wing 20 extends outwardly and forwardly from the rear edge of the finger 15. 7

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view at the closing end 6' of the slider 9 in FIGURE 1', showing the sides 11 and 12 pressing the strips S1 and 8-2. together.

FIGURE is a sectional view illustrating the opening end 0' of the slider, showing the strip S-1 guided outwardly through the slot 18 and turned outwardly by the wing 20. The. wing 20 in elfect broadens the effective;

structure of the finger 15 without requiring that the material be, thickened. The separating function of the finger is uniformly progressive from its rear edge since the sur- 7 face 22 of the wing 20 extends gradually outwardly. The wing 20 will also strengthen the vertical beam strength of the finger which is advantageous inasmuch as the finger is cantilever mounted at its upper edge on the extension 14 of the back 10. These advantages are afiorded to the finger without requiring thickening of the material needed and the minimum thickness of material can be dictated by the required strength of other elements such as the sides 11 and 12 of the slider. This conserves material and pro vides a more lightweight slider.

The wing 20 may be longer as shown by the wing 20 in FIGURE 7 so as to prevent the top of the strip 5-1 from gettingrbelow the lower edge 25' of the wing 20', when the fastener is stressed and thereby locking the fastener.

In FIGURE 7 a slider 9"- is shown with strips S-1 and 8-2, generally constructed the same as the slider of FIG-. URES 1, 2 land 5 but with. an elongate wing 20".

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved slider particularly adapted for use with a hinged type fastener of the type illustrated, which meets the objects, advantages and features labove set forth. The unit provides a slider which can be made by rapid manufacturing processes of a single sheet of material, and theresultant slider performs an improved separating and joining function for they strips avoiding disadvantages heretofore present.

The drawings and specification present a detailed dis- 7 closure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and

it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative construction and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention: 1. A slider for a flexible closure having strips with 'side-by-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of one strip being above its web portion and the marginal portion of the other strip being alongside its web portion and connected thereto. by an integral hinge portion, said marginal portions having facing interlocking rib and groove elements. thereon, the

and a guide wing integral with said finger projecting forwardly'and laterally ahead of said channel guiding a strip into the channel and preventing pinching thereof. a V V 2. A slider fora flexible closure having strips with sideby-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of one strip being above its web portion and the marginal portionof the other strip being alongside its web portion and connected thereto by an integral hinge portion, said marginal portions having facing interlocking rib and groove elements thereon, the slider'comprising,

a back for sliding along above the marginal portions,

sides integral with the back extending downwardly therefrom straddling the strips for forcing them together to interlock the rib and groove elements,

a separating finger at a forward opening end of the slider positioned for projectingdownwardly between the strips to separate the rib and groove elements,

said finger and one of said sides defining alateral channel for one of the strips separating it from the other,

and a forward planar guide, surface at an angle to the channel and attached to said finger leading laterally, rearwardly, and inwardly and engaging the inner surface of the said one strip guidingv it into said channel and preventing binding of the slider on the strip.

3. A slider for a flexible closurehavingstripswith sideby-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of one strip being above its web portion and the marginal portion of the other strip. being alongside its web portion and connected thereto by an integral hinge portion, said marginal portions having facing interlocking rib and groove elements thereon, the slider comprising,

a back for sliding along above the marginal portions,

, sides integral with the back extending downwardly therefrom straddling the strips for forcing them together to interlock the rib and groove elements,

a separating finger at a forward opening end of the slider positioned forv projecting downwardly between the strips to separate the rib and groove elements,

said finger and one of said sides defining a lateral channel for one of the strips separating it from theother,

a forward planar first guide surface at an angleto the channel and attached to said finger and. leading laterally, rearwardly, and inwardly and engaging the inner'surface of the strip guiding it into said channel and preventing binding of the slider on the strip,

and a rear second guide surface facing forwardly and generally opposite toward said first surface, thereby providing facing surfaces on opposing sides of the strip in said channel.

4. A slider for a flexible closure having first and second strips with side-by-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of the first strip being above its Web portion and the marginal portion of the second strip being alongside its web portion and connected thereto by an integral hinge portion, said marginal portions having facing interlocking rib and groove elements thereon, the slider comprising,

a back for sliding along above the marginal portions,

first and second sides integral with the back extending downwardly therefrom straddling the strips for forcing them together to interlock the rib and groove elements and being parallel to the strips when the strips are interlocked,

a flat planar finger parallel to said sides with said back extending forwardly of said sides and integrally supporting said finger at a forward opening end of the slider and extending downwardly between the strips to separate the rib and groove elements,

a lower lateral portion on said finger extending toward said second side,

a retaining flange at the lower edge of the first side extending beneath the marginal portion of the first strip,

said finger and said first side defining between them a lateral channel for the first strip,

a forward planar first guide surface integral with the finger projecting from the rear edge thereof at an angle to the channel and leading laterally forwardly and outwardly from the finger engaging the inner surface of the first strip guiding it into said channel preventing binding of the slider on the strip,

and a rear second guide surface on the forward end of said first side facing forwardly and generally opposite toward said first surface providing facing surfaces on opposing sides of the first strip in said channel.

5. A slider for a flexible closure having strips wtih sideby-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of one strip being above its' a first and second sides integral with the back extending downwardly therefrom straddling the strips for forcing them together to interlock the rib and groove elements with said first side extending forwardly V and outwardly from a rear to a forward end of the slider and closing toward the second side at the rear end of the slider,

said second side being parallel to the strips,

a separating finger at the forward opening end of the slider having planar sides each being substantially parallel to the strips and positioned for projecting downwardly between the strips to separate the rib and groove elements and being integrally supported on the back forwardly of the slider,

a lower lateral portion on said finger,

a retaining flange along the lower edge of the first side extending beneath the marginal portion of said one strip, v

and a guide surface integral with the rear edge of said finger projecting forwardly and laterally from. said rear edge and leading laterally rearwardly engaging the innersurface of said one strip guiding it into said channel and preventing binding of the slider on the strip. v i

6. A slider for a flexible closure having strips with side-by-side parallel web portions and integral marginal portions, the marginal portion of one strip being above its web portion and the marginal portion of the other strip being alongside its web portion and connected thereto by an integral hinge portion, said marginal portions having facing interlocking rib and groove elements thereon, the slider comprising,

a back for sliding along above the marginal portions,

sides integral with the back extending downwardly therefrom straddling the strips for forcing them together to interlock the rib and groove elements,

a separating finger at a forward opening end of the slider positioned for projecting downwardly between the strips to separate the rib and groove elements,

said finger and one of said sides defining a lateral channel for one of the strips separating it from the other,

and a guide wing integral with said finger projecting V forwardly and laterally ahead of said channel guiding a strip into the channel and preventing pinching thereof and extending downwardly below said separating finger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,115,689 Jacobs Dec. 31, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,168,794 France Dec. 16, 1 958 

1. A SLIDER FOR A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE HAVING STRIPS WITH SIDE-BY-SIDE PARALLEL WEB PORTIONS AND INTEGRAL MARGINAL PORTIONS, THE MARGINAL PORTION OF ONE STRIP BEING ABOVE ITS WEB PORTION AND THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE OTHER STRIP BEING ALONGSIDE ITS WEB PORTION AND CONNECTED THERETO BY AN INTEGRAL HINGE PORTION, SAID MARGINAL PORTIONS HAVING FACING INTERLOCKING RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS THEREON, THE SLIDER COMPRISING, A BACK FOR SLIDING ALONG ABOVE THE MARGINAL PORTIONS, SIDES INTEGRAL WITH THE BACK EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM STRADDLING THE STRIPS FOR FORCING THEM TOGETHER TO INTERLOCK THE RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS, A SEPARATING FINGER AT A FORWARD OPENING END OF THE SLIDER POSITIONED FOR PROJECTING DOWNWARDLY BETWEEN THE STRIPS TO SEPARATE THE RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS, SAID FINGER AND ONE OF SAID SIDES DEFINING A LATERAL CHANNEL FOR ONE OF THE STRIPS SEPARATING IT FROM THE OTHER, AND A GUIDE WING INTEGRAL WITH SAID FINGER PROJECTING FORWARDLY AND LATERALLY AHEAD OF SAID CHANNEL GUIDING A STRIP INTO THE CHANNEL AND PREVENTING PINCHING THEREOF. 